Lend a Hand

Call the Volunteer Center of United Way, (209) 524-1307, or email volunteer@uwaystan.org.

Volunteers needed for special events:

RIDE FOR MOM

NEEDED: Volunteers of all ages on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, to help during this organized community bike ride at Johansen High School in Modesto. The proceeds go to nonprofits that help encourage the motto: “Be active, eat healthy, live better.” Opportunities include setting up supplies, helping with check-in, loading and unloading supplies. Other shifts will be scheduled to help serve food, greet riders and hand out medals. Youth volunteers will need a signed waiver by an adult. See rideformom.com.

CONTACT: Susan Dion, reach1@sbcglobal.net

Volunteers needed for ongoing positions:

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

NEEDED: Volunteers, age 14 years and older, to gain retail experience while they cashier, sort, price and steam merchandise, as well as set up displays. Volunteers work four hours per week, with flexible day and evening shifts available. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Donations of new or gently used items such as costume and fine jewelry, clothing, a piece of art, an antique, or a collectable also needed.

CONTACT: Pat Dickerson, (209) 544-9279

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF STANISLAUS COUNTY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help in after-school programs at two local elementary schools and one middle school. Tasks may include homework assistance and helping during activities or sports. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one hour a week between the hours of 1:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, as needed. Applicants must fill out a volunteer application and attend an orientation. Qualified applicants will be interviewed. A background check, fingerprint clearance and a TB test are also required.

CONTACT: Sarah Bautista, (209) 416-3231, sbautista@bgcstan.org

COMMUNITY HOSPICE

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older as of July 6 to assist with Camp Erin, a four-day grief camp for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Cabin Buddies creates a positive, fun, supportive and energetic atmosphere for its campers as they learn to cope with their losses. Volunteers will share in activities and meals, and will supervise the campers assigned to their cabins. They will receive training. To learn more about this and other Camp Erin volunteer opportunities, visit hospiceheart.org.

CONTACT: Dottie Jessen, (209) 969-1018, dottiegrace@sbcglobal.net

HEALTHY AGING ASSOCIATION

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to join the Young at Heart team of instructors who make a difference in the lives of older adults. Volunteer instructors are needed as soon as possible to lead group exercise classes in Hughson and Modesto. No experience is needed, only a passion for wellness and working with older adults. Free training certification is available for the right individuals.

CONTACT: Samantha Strauch, (209) 523.2800, sstrauch.healthyaging@gmail.com

HOPE HAVEN WEST

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon to help in the warehouse, 1324 Coldwell Ave., Modesto, sorting, boxing, assembling and packing wheelchairs. Hope Haven West collects discarded and used wheelchairs and ships them to vocational rehab units of 17 federal prisons, where prisoners refurbish the chairs. The refurbished chairs are then returned to the agency.

CONTACT: Liz Hosmer, (209) 485-4553, hopehavenwest@gmail.com

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help provide food and clothing to needy individuals and families weekdays. Warehouse volunteers pick up, receive, sort and distribute food to clients; food pantry volunteers interview clients, offer support and referrals, bag grocery orders and stock shelves; and clothes closet volunteers sort clothing and assist in the community clothes closet. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., depending on the position. Volunteers must be at least 18, or 16 to 17 with an adult’s permission, and be able to lift at least 25-40 pounds.

CONTACT: Shawna Teague, (209) 572-3117, steague@interfaithmodesto.org

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Lend a Hand."